Associate, Strategic Communications

Schillings handles high-stakes situations for our international clientele; high profile and successful people, companies and other organisations across the world. The high-stakes situations they face affect their reputations, their privacy and their security, both digital and physical. That is why we apply a particular focus to protecting these three assets. The high-stakes situations present both threats that need to be mitigated, and opportunities to be taken.

Schillings Communications, founded by Schillings, Victoria O'Byrne and George Pascoe-Watson, makes the group the first of its kind in the market offering clients a multi-disciplinary model of legal, intelligence, investigations, digital, security, strategy, and communications all under one roof. Our objective is to support clients with complex challenges and opportunities and to bring together mixed specialists to solve those problems as efficiently and effectively as possible. Schillings Communications provides senior counsel during high-stakes situations, rather than steady-state PR. You will work alongside our legal, intelligence, investigations, and security practices to offer clients world-class counsel.

As a communications professional, you will support the development and delivery of communications strategies that protect and promote our clients' values, brand, and reputations. Working in a collaborative environment, you will contribute to solving complex client needs while continuing to build your expertise in strategic communications. With guidance from senior colleagues, you will contribute to the creation and delivery of communications plans for clients. You will manage elements of client projects and provide well-considered solutions. As an ambassador for Schillings, you will help maintain service excellence and support business development initiatives. This is primarily a fee-earning role, so you will be responsible for meeting profitability targets and producing high quality deliverables.

Role Accountabilities

• Support the development and delivery of strategic communications, working closely with senior colleagues.
• Build a strong understanding of clients' businesses and issues, developing trusted relationships and clearly communicating strategies.
• Manage aspects of client work effectively, demonstrating good organisational and financial awareness (e.g., project management, scoping, billing).
• Draft and deliver client work as required, including media reporting, background research, advisory notes and more, collaborating with colleagues to ensure it is of the highest standards.
• Identify client issues and raise them appropriately, collaborating with senior leadership to mitigate risks.
• Assist with business development activities, such as drafting proposals and supporting responses to client procurement processes.
• Represent Schillings professionally at client meetings and contribute to thought leadership initiatives where appropriate.
• Continue developing your skills and knowledge, sharing best practices with peers and supporting junior colleagues where possible.
• Maintain awareness of Schillings' services and apply them to client challenges.
• Support senior colleagues in operational and business development tasks.

Knowledge, Skills, and Experience Required

• Solid experience in communications/reputation management, ideally with exposure to crisis communications and issues management.
• Experience contributing to complex communications projects for demanding clients.
• Strong writing, organisational, and project management skills; able to prioritise and manage multiple tasks effectively.
• A proactive "doer" with high attention to detail and willingness to learn and grow.
• Comfortable working under pressure with a flexible, growth-oriented mindset.
• Collaborative team player with a positive attitude and ability to adapt quickly.
• Interest in current affairs and media, with commercial awareness of clients' business interests.

Shortlisting will take place in January 2026.

Given our audacious (and successful) business strategy, it is not surprising that Schillings has a very strong culture. The atmosphere is highly collaborative and focused on excellence. We have worked hard over the years to develop a coaching culture and are remarkably non-hierarchical, especially given our roots as a law firm. Schillings has adopted a set of values to put at the heart of this change and they reflect the intention and tenor of our ambitious plans. They are: "Innovative; Bold; United; and Excellent". Our client list speaks for the outstanding results that have been delivered over many years and the task now is to grow without losing any of the commitment to delivering for clients or the service ethos. Finding people who share our values and can thrive in this environment is key to our success. We welcome candidates from all backgrounds – if you are driven and want to achieve your best then we will give you the platform and support to succeed.